Summary
West Bay West Pier sits on the western arm of Bridport Harbour in Dorset, giving anglers quick access to mixed ground, tidal flow, and summer shoals. It’s a convenient, productive mark for mackerel, garfish, bass and wrasse in season, with winter whiting and the odd codling when the weather turns. Easy access, nearby facilities and varied fishing make it a solid all‑round venue.
Location and Access
Getting to West Bay is straightforward via the A35 to Bridport, then follow the short, signposted route to West Bay. The West Pier is the western harbour arm; it’s a short, level walk from the main car parks and quayside.
- Pay-and-display car parks are clustered around the harbour; arrive early in peak season as spaces fill quickly.
- The walk to the pier top is mostly flat with firm paths, but the stonework can be uneven and slick when wet.
- Access is generally friendly for trolleys; the outer section can involve steps and higher drops to the water, so plan for a drop net if you intend to keep fish.
- Public access can occasionally be restricted during adverse weather or harbour operations; obey any temporary closures or signage.
Seasons
Expect a mixed bag with clear seasonality. Summer brings pelagics and wrasse on the outer face, while cooler months see more bottom species.
- Spring (Apr–May): garfish, school bass, pollack, plaice (occasional), flounder in and around the harbour mouth, early wrasse on warmer spells.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): mackerel, garfish, scad (horse mackerel) at dusk, pollack, wrasse (ballan, corkwing), mullet in the harbour, bass in the tide.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): bass (often best now), mackerel tapering off, scad at night, pout, conger after dark; occasional squid on calm, clear nights.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): whiting, pouting, rockling, flounder; the odd codling after a blow; conger possible on big baits at night.
- Year-round residents: blennies, gobies and other mini-species tight to the structure (great for LRF).
Methods
The pier fishes well with a mix of float, lure and bottom tactics. Adjust rigs to suit the rougher outer face and cleaner patches inside the harbour mouth.
- Float fishing: small sliver of mackerel, sandeel strip or ragworm for garfish and mackerel; set depth 8–15 ft and work along the outer wall.
- Spinning/lures: 20–40 g metals for mackerel and scad; small soft plastics (7–12 cm on 5–15 g jig heads) for pollack and bass at first/last light.
- Bottom fishing: 2-hook flapper with size 2–1 hooks for whiting, pout and flatties; running ledger or pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) with a rotten-bottom link if you’re casting onto rough ground for bass or conger.
- Baits: ragworm and lugworm for general species; peeler/crab or squid for bass; mackerel/squid heads for conger; sandeel for rays or bass (rays are rare here but possible in Lyme Bay).
- LRF: size 10–14 hooks, small isome/worm imitations or bits of prawn for mini-species and bonus scad after dark.
- Hardware: a long-handled drop net is highly recommended; the wall height varies with tide and fish are easily lost without one.
Tides and Conditions
Tide and sea state strongly influence results here. The outer face is exposed; aim for movement without dangerous swell.
- Tide: the flood and the first of the ebb often fish best, especially the last 2 hours of the flood into high water for pelagics and bass.
- Water clarity: clear water favours mackerel, garfish and wrasse; a touch of colour can switch on bass, pout and whiting.
- Time of day: dawn and dusk are prime for bass, pollack and mackerel; night sessions suit conger, pout and autumn scad.
- Wind and swell: light easterlies give comfortable conditions; strong SW/W winds raise swell and overtopping—avoid in rough seas.
- Seasonality: summer for surface/float and lures; late autumn and winter favour bottom fishing after dark.
Safety
This is an exposed pier with variable footing and wave action. Treat it as a proper sea mark, not a promenade.
- Slippery surfaces: algae and spray make the stonework slick—good boots with grip are essential.
- Wave overtopping: in swell or spring tides waves can break over the wall; never fish when seas are pushing over.
- Drop to water: use a lifejacket, keep low and avoid leaning over the edge; a drop net reduces risky leaning when landing fish.
- Public and boat traffic: keep casting under control; expect tourists in summer and regular boat movements at the harbour mouth.
- Closures and zones: parts of the pier may be taped off in bad weather or during harbour operations; follow all signage and staff directions.
- Accessibility: generally level access from the car parks to much of the pier, but the outer end and certain sections involve steps and higher parapets which may limit wheelchair access.
Facilities
West Bay is well served for amenities within a short stroll of the pier. Expect busy summer trade and early closures off season.
- Public toilets near the harbour and car parks.
- Cafés, kiosks, pubs and fish-and-chip shops along the quayside.
- Bait and tackle: options in West Bay/Bridport (availability and hours vary by season—check ahead).
- Pay-and-display parking by the harbour; bring coins/card/app as required.
- RNLI lifeboat presence in the harbour area; obey launch instructions and warning horns.
- Mobile phone signal is generally good around the harbour.
Tips
Small tweaks make a big difference at West Pier. Think stealth for mullet and finesse for wrasse and scad.
- For bass, fish dawn on a flooding tide with a small soft plastic or shallow-diving plug worked along the current line outside the harbour mouth.
- When mackerel are scarce, switch from feathers to a single sabiki string or float rig—lighter, tidier and safer among the public.
- Wrasse love the boulder edges; drop a lightly-weighted ragworm or crab bait into gaps and hold tight.
- After a blow, try a big squid or mackerel bait after dark for pout and a chance of conger or a rogue codling.
- Night scad often sit mid-water: count down a 20–30 g metal or fish small isome on size 10 hooks under a glow float.
- Carry a drop net and a head torch with a red mode; it spooks fish less and keeps you safer on the stones.
- Summer crowds can be heavy—hit first light for space and better fishing.
Regulations
Local rules and national laws apply at this harbour mark. Always check the latest signage on the pier and official sources before you fish.
- Harbour byelaws: expect no-fishing or no-casting zones inside the harbour fairway, and restrictions when vessels are moving or the lifeboat is launching; obey all posted signs and staff instructions.
- Safety and conduct: avoid overhead casting near the public, keep the walkway clear, and dispose of line/feathers responsibly.
- Minimum sizes and bag limits: comply with UK/IFCA size limits for sea fish; bass regulations change periodically—check current MMO guidance before retaining any bass.
- Protected species: if you encounter protected species (e.g., shad, tope in certain circumstances), release immediately as required by law.
- Bait collection: local restrictions may apply on nearby beaches and estuary areas; check Southern IFCA byelaws if digging bait.
- If in doubt, fish catch-and-release and verify retention rules with official sources on the day.
